“Did you hear what he said?”
“I did.” Darkness lowered his voice. “I have no tolerance for males who harm females. Allow me to make him and the others bleed. I’ll get them to confess all their crimes.”
True growled at the shaking guard but backed up, spun around and strode down the long passage between cages and then through the double doors. He didn’t stop until he kicked open an already-damaged door and exited the building.
Justice and Tim Oberto were still talking with Jeff.
“This place is hellish,” True growled. “The guards killed the last female prisoner.”
“What?” The human guy gasped. “No. Her cell door somehow didn’t lock and the prisoners got to her during exercise break. The guards were taking lunch and didn’t hear her screams. They came in to lock up the men again and found her dead in her cell.”
“The guards were sexually assaulting her. Darkness will get the truth.” True turned to Justice. “I wish to return to Homeland. Jeanie might be awake. I wish to be by her side.”
“I’ll ride with you,” Tim declared.
“I’ll go as well,” Fury offered as he walked over to them.
“I want the warden to call me the moment he returns,” Justice demanded. “What kind of place is he running? I’m ordering a full investigation and sending in the task force members to take over until everything is resolved.”
“I agree,” Tim sighed. “My teams on site will stay and I’ll send replacements in the morning to relieve them.” He withdrew a radio, walking away to inform them of his orders.
“I had nothing to do with this,” Jeff protested. “I swear.”
“Save it, Jeff,” Justice grumbled. “I’ve got no love for anyone locked inside there after all they’ve done to my people but they deserve fair treatment. We’re better than they are. We left humans in charge of humans because we believed they’d have compassion. It seems it was a mistake.”
True just walked away. He stopped at an SUV, opened the door, climbed in and slammed it closed. The other door opened and Fury took the seat next to him. Justice and Tim climbed into the SUV and they turned toward Homeland and Jeanie.
Chapter Seventeen
True helped Jeanie out of the SUV when they reached the dorm. He quietly thanked Breeze for driving them from Medical before closing the door and taking Jeanie’s hand. It was a huge relief to finally be back home.
True used his security card to get them inside the building. They didn’t talk as they rode the elevator up to the third floor. No guard waited in the hallway this time. She paused, staring at what appeared to be a new door as True unlocked it.
“They fixed it while we were gone but it still needs to be painted.”
“Why did it need to be fixed?”
“I kicked it open when I couldn’t get inside.” He pulled her into the apartment and locked the door. “Let’s shower.”
He flipped on lights as they went, also removing his uniform as they progressed toward the bedroom. He was down to just his pants and boots when they entered the bathroom. He turned on the water and straightened, facing her.
“I’m mating you. It’s not up for debate. No one is taking you from me, ever. I’m having them bring the paperwork to make it official in the morning. You will sign them.”
She was a little stunned by the announcement but they’d both just gone through a horrendous ordeal. It really cut through all the crap and boiled down to priorities after almost losing each other. “Okay.”
He arched both eyebrows in surprise. “You agree?”
“You could have washed your hands of being responsible for my well-being but instead you risked your life fighting for me. You feel more for me than just grateful that I saved your life once, don’t you?”
He reached out and his large hands encircled her waist. “Yes.”
She reached up and gripped the curve of his shoulders. “You changed my life, True. I think I fell in love with you from the moment I met you and you spoke to me. I didn’t want you to mate with me out of gratitude. I need you to care about me as much as I do you.”
His mouth fell open and his hold on her loosened. Even the look in his eyes indicated she’d totally astounded him with her confession. Damn. He didn’t appear overjoyed at being told she loved him. He said nothing but released her and turned away.
He stripped naked and just climbed into the shower. She hesitated, unsure of what to do. He finally turned his head, his expression impassive. “I’ll be done in a moment.”
It wasn’t an invitation to join him and her shoulders sagged. She’d really screwed up by confessing how deep her feelings ran. She dropped her gaze, fighting the urge to flee the bathroom, her pride wounded. The shower door opened and True grabbed a towel.
“Shower. I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom.”
He didn’t even take time to dry off before he was gone. She closed her eyes and silently cursed. New Species were really different from other men but it seemed in one way they were the same. She’d freaked him out by telling him she loved him too soon. She hoped he wasn’t sprinting out the front door and running for his life the way some humans would.
She opened her eyes and stepped under the warm spray of water, soaking her hair and skin. It would be awkward facing him but she’d apologize. She wasn’t sorry that she loved him but for dumping it on him way too soon. She could chalk it up to all she’d been through but it was something she’d wanted to confess for a long time. She wouldn’t blame a bad night for her being too honest with him.
It didn’t take her long to wash her hair and scrub her skin with body wash. Her incision appeared to be completely healed. Jeanie shut off the water, exited the shower and slowly dried off. She’d forgotten to grab something else to put on when she’d followed True into the bathroom. It left her with no choice but to wrap the damp towel around her body and open the bathroom door. She stepped into the bedroom and gasped.
The lights were off but candles were lit all around the room. A row of them lined the dresser and both nightstands. It was a romantic setting she’d never seen coming. True stood at the end of the bed in the center of the room, still wearing just a towel. He smiled when she stared at his face.
“What is all this?”
“We’re celebrating.”
She didn’t know what to say. He stalked closer, totally doing that animal thing that was kind of sexy as he peered at her with his lips slightly parted and his sharp teeth showing. The look in his eyes was definitely predatory but in a good way. She was still confused but very aware of his sexual appeal. He stopped before her and reached for the top of her towel. She glanced down as he tore it off and tossed it aside.
“What are you doing?” She didn’t try to cover herself, too stunned to do anything but look up at him.
“I’m going to mate you.” He dropped his towel. “Being completely naked is the best way to do that.”
“You lit all these candles…” She glanced at them, then back at him.
“I wanted it to be special.”
“Any time we’re naked in a bedroom together is special to me.”
True smiled as he took both her hands in his, backing up toward the bed, leading her to it. “I am glad we agree on that.” He stopped and let her go. “Get on the bed.”
She climbed up on the mattress and turned, watching him do the same. His much larger body made the bed dip and she laughed as his hand gripped her waist. He gently shoved her so she rolled over onto her back. She smiled up at him as he climbed over her body to pin her under him, being careful of her side. Their gazes locked.
“Am I hurting your wound?”
“No. I barely notice it now. That drug I was given is amazing.”
“You’re my mate,” he whispered.
“I’m yours,” she agreed just as softly.
He used his elbows to keep his upper body weight from crushing her. One of his fingers traced her jawline, from her ear to her chin. His gaze searched hers for a long moment. Then he slowly lowered his face as if he couldn’t wait one more moment to connect with her.